BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved brake monitoring system, particularly
for use on vehicles such as a tractor and trailer combination.
[0002] In the prior art, heavy duty trucks and other large vehicles are typically equipped
with an air brake actuating system. The air brake actuating system applies air to
a service chamber to move a diaphragm in a first direction. A push rod typically moves
with the diaphragm, and the push rod is connected to a linkage that actuates the vehicle
brakes. An emergency chamber is generally also attached adjacent to the service chamber,
and is operable to move the push rod in the event that the air system fails. To this
end, a high strength power spring is typically incorporated into the emergency chamber
to actuate the push rod when there is a failure in the system air line. This spring
also typically actuates the push rod when the vehicle is parked.
[0003] A brake actuator has a predetermined amount of available movement, or stroke, for
the push rod. The amount of movement of the push rod required to fully actuate the
brakes must be carefully monitored such that it is within the stroke of the brake
actuator. The prior art has experienced situations wherein there has been an excessive
amount of push rod movement for actuation of the brake system. This excessive required
push rod movement can be created by any one of several factors. Typically, excessive
movement is due to brake lining wear. As the brakes wear, more movement of the push
rod is required to actuate the brakes. Further, as the linkages, connections, etc.
between the members connecting the push rod to the brakes bend or become loose or
excessively worn, additional push rod movement may be required to adequately stroke
the brake. A combination of these several features may sometimes cause the amount
of push rod movement required to actuate the brakes to approach the available push
rod movement, or stroke, from the brake actuator. This is, of course, an undesirable
situation.
[0004] The prior art has attempted to monitor the amount of push rod movement during actuation
of the brake, and provide some indication to an operator of when there is excessive
push rod movement. The determination of when there is excessive push rod movement
is dependent upon the designed stroke, or rated stroke, of the brake actuator. In
addition, an apparatus known as a slack adjuster is typically placed between the push
rod and the foundation brake. The slack adjuster is incrementally adjusted to compensate
for slack in the braking system and to decrease the required push rod movement. Automatic
slack adjusters are now available which automatically adjust the foundation brake
system.
[0005] Electronic indicator systems have been proposed. However, there are several obstacles
to overcome. First, powering and monitoring electronic indicators on each of the brake
actuators on an 18-wheel vehicle is costly. The cost in wiring alone for the vehicle
exceeds the cost of all the electronic indicators and monitoring equipment combined.
Further, the hostile environment in which the brake actuators are mounted can damage
the wires connecting the brake actuators to a controller.
[0006] Further, there are numerous configurations for the tractors as well as the trailers.
For example, the number of axles on tractors and trailers can vary. Each axle may
include a spring brake actuator or just a service brake actuator. For efficiency,
it would be desirable to have a single electronic controller which could be permanently
programmed to recognize the specific configuration of the vehicle on which it is installed.
[0007] US-A-5,450,930 discloses a system according to the preamble of claim 1 and relates
to a heavy duty electronic brake/indicator wherein electronic/indicators have sensor
structures which are incorporated into a stone shield for a brake actuator. The incorporation
of the sensor into the stone shield protects the sensor and its associated wires and
contacts from damage by the other components in the brake actuator.
[0008] US-A-5,358,075 relates to a brake movement and adjusting monitoring device wherein
a vehicle brake wear warning system, comprising a displacement sensor, for determining
the relative displacement necessary to fully actuate a brake. The displacement sensor
has a piston, which operates in a shaft. The movement of the piston within the shaft
is relative to the distance of the brakes slack adjustor which must move to fully
actuate the brakes. When the brakes are actuated, the location of the piston in the
shaft of the displacement sensor becomes relevant in determining brake wear.
[0009] US-A-5,302,939 relates to a dual-tire equaliser having a remote indicator wherein
the diaphragm of the dual-tire equaliser has an axial probe actuating or not actuating
a switch in a radio frequency transmitter circuit mounted on a wheel. The transmitter
sends a signal varying, depending on the condition of the switch. A radio frequency
receiver on the vehicle and connected to an indicator in a driver's cab responds to
the signal and issues appropriate information to the driver concerning condition of
the equaliser.
[0010] It is an object of the invention to indicate a dragging brake condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle
brake monitoring system comprising:
a brake actuator;
a sensor associated with said brake actuator, said sensor generating a rest signal
indicating a rest position of said brake actuator;
a brake circuit generating a brake signal based upon a driver attempting to actuate
said brake actuator;
a controller receiving a signal from said sensor, said controller receiving said brake
signal from said brake circuit;
said controller indicating a dragging brake condition when said sensor indicates that
said brake actuator is not in said rest position and said brake circuit is not generating
said brake signal.
[0012] The present invention provides a brake monitoring system including a plurality of
brake monitors mounted on each of a plurality of brake actuators on a vehicle. Each
of the brake monitors includes at least one magnet and a magnet sensing device which
move relatively during brake actuation, and move increasingly as the brake wears.
The brake monitoring system further includes a controller receiving a signal from
each of the magnet sensing devices, a brake signal indicating when the brake actuator
is activated by a driver and pressure signals from each of the brake actuators indicating
when air pressure in each brake actuator reaches a predetermined level. Each brake
monitor further includes an RF transmitter which periodically transmits the condition
of the brake actuator to the controller.
[0013] Each magnet is preferably formed on a generally hollow cylindrical sleeve which is
mounted to a push rod in the brake actuator. As the push rod is actuated, the sleeve
moves relative to a plurality of switches embedded in a stone shield in the brake
actuator. As the brake actuator is actuated, the sleeve moves relative to the magnetic
sensing device, thereby generating a signal indicative of the displacement of the
push rod.
[0014] In one embodiment, the sleeve includes a plurality of magnets secured to the sleeve.
In other embodiments, the sleeve comprises particles in a nylon matrix. Portions of
the sleeve are selectively magnetized or the sleeve is magnetized from one axial end
to the other axial end. The magnetization of the sleeve at one axial end is high and
decreases linearly to the opposite axial end. A hall effect device mounted in the
stone shield detects the level of the magnetic field and determines the displacement
of the push rod accordingly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the brake monitoring system of the present invention
installed on a tractor and trailer combination;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a brake actuator of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a controller of Figure 1;
Figure 3A is a programming chart for the controller of Figure 3;
Figure 4 is a schematic of the controller of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective partially exploded view of the sleeve in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the stone shield of Figure 2;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the stone shield of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate sleeve which could be used in the brake
actuator of Figure 2;
Figure 9 is an end view of the sleeve of Figure 8 being magnetized;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the sleeve and magnets of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the sleeve and stone shield of Figure 2 in a first
position;
Figure 12 is the sleeve and stone shield of Figure 11 in a second position;
Figure 13 is the sleeve and stone shield of Figure 11 in a third position;
Figure 14 is the sleeve and stone shield of Figure 11 in a fourth position;
Figure 15 is a sectional view of a second alternate sleeve and an alternate stone
shield which could be utilized in the brake actuator of Figure 2;
Figure 16 is a perspective exploded view of a third alternate sleeve and stone shield
which could be utilized in the brake actuator of Figure2;
Figure 17 is an end view of the stone shield of Figure 16 in a first position;
Figure 18 is the stone shield of Figure 16 in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] A brake monitoring system 20 according to the present invention is for use on vehicles
such as a tractor 22 and trailer 24. The tractor 22 and trailer 24 each include a
plurality of brake actuators 26 which operate the brakes of a vehicle in a well-known
manner. A controller 28 is installed on each of the tractor 22 and trailer 24 for
monitoring the brake actuators 26. Preferably, each of the controllers 28 is in communication
with a satellite antenna 30, the vehicle micro-controller 32 for the tractor 22, a
heads up display 34 in the tractor 22. Further, the controller 28 installed on the
trailer 24 is connected to a tri-color LED 36 which is installed on the front of the
trailer 24 to be visible in the rearview mirror of the tractor 22. Preferably, the
LED 36 is a tri-color LED 36 which indicates green, yellow, or red indicating that
the brakes on the trailer 24 are in a safe condition, in need of adjustment, or in
a dangerous condition, respectively.
[0017] All of the information from both controllers 28 regarding the operation of all of
the brake actuators 26 is communicated to the driver on the heads-up display 34. Further,
all of the information from both controllers 28 is communicated via the satellite
antenna 30 to a central location, such as the dispatching location of the tractor
22 and trailer 24. Further, information from controllers 28 is communicated via a
vehicle bus to the vehicle micro-controller 32. Additionally, information from controllers
28 can be relayed via radio signals or similar means to operators of vehicle weigh
stations, in a manner similarly proposed for communicating the weight of the vehicle
during a drive by. Further, the LED 36 is visible to the weigh station operators,
as well as other vehicles on the road, such as police cars.
[0018] Referring to Figure 2, each of the brake actuators 26 includes a service chamber
42. As is well known, air pressure through air line 44 into the service chamber 42
causes downward movement of diaphragm 46 as well as push rod 50 and yoke 52 to thereby
actuate the brake. A pressure switch 54 measures the air pressure in service chamber
42 and air line 44. Preferably, pressure switch 54 is switched on at 6 PSI. A plastic
molded stone shield 56 is mounted in the service chamber 42. The push rod 50 extends
and retracts through stone shield 56. The stone shield 56 includes a plurality of
switches, preferably an upper switch 60 and a lower switch 62. The switches 60, 62
are magnetically actuated switches, such as reed switches or Hall effect switches,
which are well known to those in the relevant art. Generally, these types of magnetically
operated switches are either normally opened and normally closed, and is switched
when in proximity of a magnetic field. Preferably, the switches 60, 62 are normally
open switches which are closed in the proximity of sufficient magnetic field.
[0019] Although each of the switches 60, 62 from each of the brake actuators 26 can be connected
to the controller 28 via hard electrical wires, preferably, each brake actuator 26
includes at least one RF transmitter 63. This RF transmitter is preferably a single
chip RF transmitter 63 which can be embedded in the stone shield 56 between the switches
60, 62. The RF transmitter 63 may include a battery which has a useful life longer
than that of the brake actuator 26. In order to extend battery life, the transmitter
63 may enter a "sleep" mode until an event occurs, i.e., one of the switches 60, 62,
54 changes state, at which it would transmit a signal. Alternatively, the RF transmitter
63 can be a passive transmitter, such as is known in the art. A passive RF transmitter
63 receives energy via a transmitted RF signal from the controller 28, or other source.
A hand held receiver can also be utilized to receive the RF signals from the RF transmitters
regarding the condition of the brake actuators.
[0020] Each brake actuator 26 preferably includes a generally hollow cylindrical sleeve
64, preferably comprising nylon 6,6. The sleeve 64 includes a plurality of magnets,
including preferably an upper magnet 66, a middle magnet 68, and a lower magnet 70.
It should be understood that the terms upper and lower with respect to the switches
60, 62 and magnets 66, 68, 70 are with respect to the figures only, as the brake actuators
26 may be oriented differently. Further, the sleeve 64 preferably includes a key 72
extending radially outwardly of the sleeve 64 and extending preferably axially along
its entire length. The sleeve 64 further includes an inner wall 74 extending radially
inwardly of the sleeve 64, forming an aperture 75. The sleeve 64 is slid onto push
rod 50, until the inner wall 74 abuts push rod 50. Then the yoke 52 is threaded into
push rod 50, until it abuts the inner wall 74, securely retaining the sleeve on the
end of the push rod 50. It should be recognized that cylindrical spacers commonly
utilized in the industry could also be inserted between yoke 52 and inner wall 74.
[0021] Referring to Figure 3, each of the controllers 28 preferably includes a housing 76
which includes a plurality of LEDs 78, each LED corresponding to a brake actuator
26 on the tractor 22 or trailer 24. Each of the LEDs 78 is a tri-color LED and can
be displayed steady or flashing, or in any combination of colors and steady or flashing.
Each controller 28 preferably includes a plurality of sockets 79, preferably five
for receiving a programming clip 80 having a plurality of pins 81-85, some of which
are selectively broken-off and removed in order to program the controller 28 as will
be described. The controller housing 76 preferably includes retainer clips 88 for
retaining the programming clip 80 once the programming clip 80 is inserted into the
socket 79. Preferably, once inserted, the programming clip 80 cannot be removed from
the controller housing 76, without causing visible damage to the retainer clip 88
or housing 76. Alternatively, sockets 79 can be disposed in a connector connected
to the controller 28 by a plurality of wires.
[0022] In order to provide a controller 28 which is usable for a variety of configurations,
including installation on either a tractor 22 or trailer 24, the programming clip
80 is permanently inserted into the socket 79 to program the controller 28 as to the
number and types of brake actuators 26 installed on the vehicle, and whether the vehicle
is a tractor 22 or a trailer 24. Figure 3A shows one way of utilizing three of the
pins 81-85 to program a controller 28. For example, pin 1 81 can indicate whether
a controller 28 is installed on a tractor 22 or a trailer 24. Other pins can indicate
how many axles the vehicle has and whether those axles include spring brakes or service
brakes. If a pin is inserted in a socket 79, a connection is made between that input
to the controller 28 and a ground, thereby indicating to the controller that the pin
was inserted into the socket 79. On the other hand, if the pin is broken off, the
socket 79 remains an open circuit, thereby indicating to the controller 28 that the
pin was broken. In this manner, the programming clip 80 can provide a permanent, non-removable
method for programming the controller 28. The controller 28 further includes an RF
receiver 82 for receiving signals from each of the RF transmitters 63 on each of the
brake actuators 26 (Figure 2).
[0023] Figure 4 shows a schematic of the controller 28. The controller 28 generally includes
a micro-controller 90 which is preferably a PIC17C42. The micro-controller 90 receives
signals from all of the switches 54, 60, 62 via RF receiver 82 from all of the brake
actuators 26 on the vehicle on which the controller 28 is installed. The micro-controller
90 receives an input from the parking brake circuit 94 which indicates when the driver
of the vehicle has actuated the parking brakes. The micro-controller 90 includes an
input from the stop lamp circuit 96, which indicates when the driver presses the brake
pedal. The micro-controller 90 is connected via a bus to a shift register 98 which
operates LEDs 78. Data indicating the condition of the brakes is processed in micro-controller
90 via software and output serially to the shift register 98 to operate LEDs 78 with
the proper color and proper state, i.e. steady or flashing or off.
[0024] The micro-controller 90 includes an output to the vehicle bus 102, utilizing SAE
communication standard J1708. The micro-controller 90 includes an output to a relay
driver 104. The relay driver 104 is activated by the micro-controller 90 when there
is a dangerous condition with the brakes. The relay driver 104 can be utilized to
operate an external relay 106 (shown in phantom) to drive an accessory 108 (shown
in phantom), such as a buzzer, additional light, etc.
[0025] Referring to Figure 5, the sleeve 64 is preferably a generally hollow cylinder comprising
nylon 6,6. The sleeve 64 further includes an axially-extending groove 114 into which
a magnetic strip 116 is inserted. The magnetic strip 116 preferably comprises a magnetic
material such as iron and includes three magnetized portions forming the upper magnet
66, middle magnet 68, and lower magnet 70. As shown in Figure 5, the polarity of the
magnets 66, 68, 70 are preferably alternating, in order to provide distinguishable
magnetic fields for each magnet 66, 68, 70.
[0026] Referring to Figure 6, the stone shield 56 preferably includes the upper switch 60,
the lower switch 62, and the RF transmitter 82. Further, the stone shield preferably
includes a keyway 112 diametrically opposed to the switches 60, 62.
[0027] Referring to Figure 7, the stone shield 56 preferably includes a keyway 112 which
is complementary to the key 72 on the sleeve 64. The key 72 and keyway 112 insure
that the magnets 66, 68, 70 are aligned with the switches 60, 62.
[0028] An alternate sleeve 122 is shown in Figure 8. The alternate sleeve 122 preferably
comprises ferrite particles in a nylon 6,6 matrix. The sleeve 122 is selectively magnetized
to form upper magnet 124, middle magnet 126, and lower magnet 128. The sleeve 122
also includes a key 128 diametrically opposed to the magnets 124, 126, 128. As shown
in Figure 9, the sleeve 122 is selectively magnetized using a plurality of rare earth
metal blocks 134. A magnetic field shield 136, generally comprising a metal, hollow
half cylinder with a plurality of cut outs to form the magnetized portions is placed
over the sleeve 122 to prevent other portions of the sleeve 122 from becoming magnetized.
As can be seen in Figure 10, the plurality of the magnets 124, 126, and 128 are preferably
alternated to provide more distinguishable magnetic fields to be sensed by the magnetically
operated switches 60, 62.
[0029] In one method for magnetizing the sleeve 112, the sleeve 112 would be secured to
the push rod 50 and then extended from the service chamber 42 a predetermined distance.
The rare earth metal blocks 134 are mounted on a tool which positions the magnetized
portions 124, 126, 128 with respect to the bottom of the housing of the service chamber
42 on the brake actuator 26. This method precisely magnetizes the magnets 124, 126,
128 at the correct locations on the push rod 50.
[0030] In operation, referring to Figure 11, when the push rod 50 is in its rest or "zero
stroke" position, the middle magnet 68 is positioned adjacent the upper switch 60
and the lower magnet 70 is positioned adjacent the lower switch 62. In the zero stroke
position, both switches 60, 62 are closed, indicating to the controller 28 that the
push rod 50 is in the zero stroke position. Together with the inputs from the parking
brake circuit 94, stop lamp circuit 96, and pressure switch 54, the controller 28
can determine whether a problem exists with the brake actuator 26. For example, if
the parking brake circuit 94 or stop lamp circuit 96 indicate that the driver is attempting
to apply the brakes, but the push rod 54 remains in the position shown in Figure 11,
the controller 28 will indicate after several seconds that an error has occurred in
the brake actuator 26.
[0031] Figure 12 shows the brake actuator in a 5/8" or .625" stroke condition. Preferably,
the upper switch 60 and lower switch 62 are spaced by 5/8". It should be recognized
that the exact spacing between the upper switch 60 and the lower switch 62 will depend
upon the particular brake actuator 26 in which the brake monitoring system 20 is installed.
In the preferred system, if the push rod 50 reaches a 5/8" stroke position, the upper
switch 60 is open and the lower switch 62 is closed by the middle magnet 68. If the
pressure switch 54 associated with that particular brake actuator 26 also indicates
that the pressure in the service chamber 42 has not yet reached 6 PSI, and the stop
lamp circuit 96 indicates that the driver is applying the brakes, the controller 28
indicates that the brakes are worn. If the brakes were not worn, the push rod 50 would
meet sufficient resistance to raise the air pressure in the service chamber 42 above
6 PSI when the push rod 50 reached a 5/8" stroke position. This condition would then
be indicated by the controller 28 to the LEDs, the heads-up display 34, the vehicle
micro-controller 32 and the satellite antenna 30.
[0032] Further, if either upper switch 60 or lower switch 62 are open and neither the parking
brake circuit 94 nor the stop lamp circuit 96 indicate that the brake should be applied,
the controller 28 indicates to the various output devices that a dragging brake condition
exists. Preferably, the controller 28 does not indicate a dragging brake condition
until the condition exists for more than 20 seconds.
[0033] Figure 13 indicates an overstroke condition, which is indicated to the controller
28 by the closure of the upper switch 60 while the lower switch 62 is open. This condition
can only occur when the push rod 50 is extended sufficiently so that the upper magnet
66 switches on the upper switch 60. Preferably, the controller 28 does not indicate
the overstroke condition unless the upper switch 60 is closed while the lower switch
62 is open for more than one second. It should be apparent that the distance between
the middle magnet 68 and the upper magnet 66 will determine the stroke distance which
will indicate an overstroke condition.
[0034] Figure 14 shows a further overstroke condition, if the upper magnet 66 subsequently
further closes the lower switch 62. This condition indicates a more serious overstroke
condition to the controller 28.
[0035] Preferably, the controller 28 is programmed to latch any error which occurs, even
if the error disappears subsequently. The controller 28 is then not reset until it
is powered down, i.e. the ignition is switched off. This will insure that the error
is displayed to the driver on the heads-up display 34, the LEDs 36, and the LEDs 78
long enough for the driver to notice. As an option, a non-volatile memory bank could
be added to the micro-controller 90 in order to retain information regarding past
errors, or to count errors which occur repeatedly on certain brake actuators 26.
[0036] An alternate sleeve 150 and alternate stone shield 152 which can be utilized in the
brake monitoring system of Figures 1-14 are shown in Figure 15. The sleeve 150 is
generally identical to that shown in Figure 8 in that it preferably comprises fernite
particles in a nylon 6,6 matrix. The sleeve 150 includes an inner wall 154 extending
radially inwardly of the sleeve 150, forming an aperture 156. The sleeve 150 further
includes a key 158 which is complementary to a keyway 160 in the stone shield 152.
The difference in this sleeve 150 is the magnetization pattern. As shown by the graph
in Figure 15, the portion of the sleeve opposite the key 150 is magnetized according
to the adjacent graph. As can be seen in the graph, the sleeve 150 includes a low
level of magnetization at a lower axial end 162 and a high level of magnetization
at an upper axial end 164. The level of magnetization between the lower and upper
axial ends of the sleeve 150 increases continuously, and preferably linearly.
[0037] The stone shield includes a magnetic field sensor, preferably a hall effect device
166 positioned adjacent the magnetized portion of the sleeve 150 opposite the keyway
160. In the same manner described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figures
1-14, an RF transmitter 168 sends signals from the hall effect device 166. Hall effect
devices are well known. Generally, the output of the hall effect device 166 depends
upon the surrounding magnetic field intensity. The signal generated by the hall effect
device 166 is therefore proportional to the position of the sleeve 150 and thus, the
position of the push rod 50. It should be recognized that some signal conditioning
circuitry may be required, such as analog to digital converters, etc. such that the
RF transmitter 168 can send the signal generated by the hall effect device 166. The
controller 28 will thus be able to determine the position of the push rod 28 and sleeve
150 with high accuracy and resolution.
[0038] - Each of the conditions demonstrated in Figure 11-14 is associated with a signal
generated by the hall effect device 166. Thus, the controller 28 could determine when
points A, B, C or D are positioned adjacent the hall effect device 166, which correspond
to the magnets 66, 68 and 70 of the sleeve 64 shown in Figure 2. In addition, the
controller 28 could determine an infinite number of positions between points A, B,
C and D.
[0039] The controller 28 defines the zero stroke position when the hall effect device 166
detects the level of magnetic field at point A on the sleeve 150. The controller 28
determines a 5/8" stroke condition when the hall effect device 166 detects the level
of magnetization at point B on the sleeve 150. The controller 28 determines a first
overstroke condition when a level of magnetization at point C on sleeve 150 is detected
by hall effect device 166. Further, the controller 28 can determine when the sleeve
150 is at a second overstroke position when the hall effect device 166 detects the
level of magnetization at point D on sleeve 150. In combination with the other switch
input conditions described above with respect to Figures 1-14, the variety of conditions
and warnings can be generated by the controller 28. In addition, other conditions
or errors may be determinable by the controller 28 utilizing the alternate sleeve
150 and alternate stone shield 152 shown in Figure 15. In this manner, the controller
28 can determine an infinite number of positions of the sleeve 150 relative to the
stone shield 152, as well as rate of movement, etc.
[0040] An alternate sleeve 170 and stone shield 172 which can detect an infinite number
of positions of the sleeve 170 relative to the stone shield 172 is shown in Figure
16. The sleeve 170 is secured to a push rod (not shown) in a manner identical to that
described for previous embodiments. The sleeve 170 may comprise polyurethane, nylon
6,6 or other known materials. The sleeve 170 includes a wedge-shaped key 174 extending
axially along the sleeve 170. The wedge-shaped key 174 has a first thickness at a
first axial end and increases continuously, preferably linearly, and thickness to
an axial second end. It should be noted that the sleeve 170 is shown rotated 180°
relative to the stone shield for purposes of illustration.
[0041] The stone shield 172 includes a keyway 176 complementary to the key 174 on the sleeve
170. The keyway is generally wide enough to accommodate the widest portion of the
key 174. However, a plunger 178 extends into the keyway 176 and is bias circumferentially
by a spring 180. During operation, the key 174 is positioned in the keyway 176 adjacent
the plunger 178. As the sleeve is inserted through the stone shield 172, the plunger
178 is displaced proportionally to the axial displacement of the sleeve. By measuring
the circumferential displacement of the plunger 178, the axial displacement of the
sleeve 170, and thus the corresponding push rod, can be determined.
[0042] One mechanism for measuring the displacement of the plunger 178 is shown in Figure
17 and 18. As shown, the plunger 178 includes a finger 182 which contacts a contact
sensitive variable resistance strip 184. The variable resistance strip 184 is preferably
waterproof and is generally known. Generally, the variable resistance strip 184 generates
a signal proportional to the position of the finger 182 on the variable resistance
strip 184. The signal from the variable resistance strip 184 is sent to the controller
28 (Figure 1) as discussed above, preferably via an RF transmitter. As would be recognized
by those skilled in the art, various conditioning circuitry may be required, such
as an analog to digital converter, filters, etc. The sleeve 170 and stone shield 172
embodiment of Figures 16-18 provides a simple, durable means for determining the axial
displacement of the sleeve 170 and push rod relative to the stone shield 172. The
controller 28 (Figure 1) determines each of the conditions illustrated in Figures
11-14, as well as an infinite number of positions therebetween. In this manner, the
controller 28 can determine all of the conditions described in detail with respect
to Figure 1-15.
[0043] The controller 28 has been described processing the data regarding the condition
of the brake actuators in software utilizing a micro-controller 98, It should be recognized
that combination logic or other hard-wired circuitry could also be utilized. It should
also be recognized that infrared or other wireless commnication means could be utilized
in place of the RF transmitters, although RF is preferred.
[0044] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary
configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment
of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its
scopes, as defined in the claims.